Where exactly is Durham Hill?
Durham Hill is a green space in the Downham Estate, Lewisham, also known as Downham Playing Fields. The official name changed a few years ago and it is now called Durham Hill. See the green space below.
Durham Hill – Funding
In 2022 Downham Matters, along with Downham Community Action, applied for funding for improvements to Durham Hill.
Downham Matters applied for Mayor’s Greening Fund and was granted £20,000 for the following:
1 x Adult picnic bench
1 x Children picnic bench
10 X Litter/waste bins
7 X Benches/seats
As of May 2023, most benches and waste bins have been installed. The remaining equipment will be installed this year.
The way the funding works is that constituted groups need to apply for funding. If and when granted, the council will arrange for the equipment to be installed, in consultation with the applicant as to details of location.
Downham Matters also supported Downham Action Group’s bid for NCIL funds for a new playground. NCIL is a pot of money the council has to invest in communities. It comes from compulsory contributions from developers when they built housing in Lewisham. Constituted community groups can apply for funding and must demonstrate that there is a need for what they are asking for.
The funds have been granted, installation of some of the equipment has started – you may have seen new bins and benches appearing in Durham Hill, with more to come.
What next?
The new playground is an important addition and the parties involved in it would like to know what the community want for the park, especially parents and other carers – please complete the form below. Complete the form for the playground.
Please use the image below for reference as to the type of equipment you'd like to see in the playground (Please note that this image is for Illustration Purposes Only).
There is also a more general consultation on what local community members would like to see in Durham Hill. Everyone is invited to complete the general feedback form
How to take part in the consultation
The consultation period for this project comes to an end in July 2023.
Chose one of these ways to take part:
1. Download the forms (word document format) linked above, complete and email to jordan.ogbeide-ihama@lewisham.gov.uk
2. Download and print the forms or ask someone to do so on your behalf. Free copies of the form can be found in the Downham Library
3. Visit the Downham Matters stall in the Downham Celebrates event on 17 June 2023 in Durham Hill where we will have copies of the form and happy to talk through current plans. See the news section here for more on this event.
It’s important to hear from a variety of voices in Downham. If you know someone with no access to an email or computer, please arrange for a copy to be provided.